Joe's '94GT money pit

[joemomma]

It's a Skar Audio 5-channel. It should be noted that the previous amp had noise as well. I have tried moving the ground for it, I even ran a cable back to the battery from the amp but I couldn't tell much difference. I had to have the window down with the cable ran temporary and the car was so loud I couldn't tell much difference.

EDIT: I've also ran 3 new sets of RCAs to the amp, on the opposite side of the car from the new power wire (4ga).

 

[ttocs]

what amp was in there before?

 

[joemomma]

The previous amp was an old-school PPI PC-650. Mid to late 90s vintage piece (back when they were made in the USA). It was a great amp, but the front channels were out of it.

 

[joemomma]

Did a little work this weekend.

Tried the black plastic garbage bag on the back window to see if that helped with the tint removal. To my surprise, it actually loosened up the remaining tint enough for me to peel/scrape what was left of it off. It didn't go as smoothly as the videos I saw, but it at least loosened it up enough for me to get it all off. I used the bag with regular 409 cleaner. One item off the list, now I can get it scheduled for new tint. I'll be going 20% all around.

Also messed with the radio some. I re-ran the amp ground to the rear seatbelt bolt. From my limited garage testing, it seems to have helped, although it didn't eliminate it completely. I won't know until I drive it for sure as to how much it helped. I was going to try and ground the RCA outputs to the HU chassis, but quickly got frustrated with that and gave up on it. I have some PAC ground-loop isolators on the way this week. I'll get those installed and hopefully that will take care of the rest of that issue. Driving my truck this morning ('16 F-150 Super Crew) I realized how much better my audio system is in it compared to the car. Granted, I've got much better equipment in it but the difference is staggering. I'm running JL C2 components up front - they make a ton of difference compared to the NVX budget components in the car. For the difference in price, I should have just went with those again. But, budget.

 

[joemomma]

Help me identify this shifter! Someone thought it might be a Hurst? It came on the car, the PO wasn't sure of the brand (it was a father/son 2-owner). I bought it off the father.

 

[joemomma]

Also, the leather boot pulled loose from the bezel when I removed it this weekend. It looks like some of the "clips" have broken. I used some super glue on it, but doubt that will hold. I may have to get a replacement.

 

[ttocs]

yea it happens to them all. Mine is held on with contact cement

 

[joemomma]

yea it happens to them all. Mine is held on with contact cement

Ahh, good to know. I'm going to try and use hot glue, and if that fails, I'll get the contact cement out. I should have some left from where I had to do my door panel inserts on my '06.

 

[ttocs]

Ahh, good to know. I'm going to try and use hot glue, and if that fails, I'll get the contact cement out. I should have some left from where I had to do my door panel inserts on my '06.

not sure I would go that route as your probably to melt the vinyl.

 

[joemomma]

I hadn't thought of that...not sure how durable 26-year old plastic is, either.

 

[ttocs]

but then again if it does I am sitting right next to another one.

 

[joemomma]

I drove the car to work this morning, and the noise is improved, but not altogether gone. I can at least listen to the radio at lower levels without the noise killing it, so there's that. My ground-loop isolators should be here later this week.

In regards to the Borlas, they are definitely more quiet than the Flowmasters. Drone is improved, but not gone. I think it may just be inherent to the exhaust system (unknown shorty headers, gutted cats, stock H). I'm not fighting that battle any longer regardless. They don't gurgle like the Flows did, which I do miss somewhat, but I think these will grow on me.

 

[sluggish94]

In regards to the Borlas, they are definitely more quiet than the Flowmasters. Drone is improved, but not gone. I think it may just be inherent to the exhaust system (unknown shorty headers, gutted cats, stock H). I'm not fighting that battle any longer regardless. They don't gurgle like the Flows did, which I do miss somewhat, but I think these will grow on me.

As I get older I'm starting to appreciate a good sounding exhaust system over a loud sounding exhaust system. Which Borla mufflers did you get?

 

[joemomma]

I went with the Borla ProXS. I'm really liking them after a second day in the car.

 

[joemomma]

After some interweb digging, I'm fairly confident the shifter is a Hurst. It needs a new ball, the top is missing from it. I guess maybe it's an insert.

 

[joemomma]

Installed the PAC ground loop isolators, no help. I'll see if it is the alternator this weekend. Disconnect output and run the car without it to test for noise.

 

[ttocs]

I have never seen an isolator work myself. What is the gain on the amp set at?

 

[joemomma]

Front is probably at 12-2 position, somewhere in that range. Rear would be slightly lower, sub about the same.

 

[joemomma]

Repaired the boot with the hot glue gun, I'll grab some pics before I install it.

Did a test with the alternator "off" best I can tell last night, and no change. I disconnected the large and smaller plugs on the alternator and started the car - still had the noise. I didn't disconnect the power wire that runs to the distribution block, but I don't know if that is necessary or not. I did notice that I didn't have a battery/charge light on the dash during the test, so it may have still been charging?

I guess that's good, meaning my alternator is fine, but at the same time, I still have noise. I have one more ground to replace (the small one from the negative battery terminal to the support behind the driver headlight) but I'm not certain that is my culprit. I've got new battery terminals coming Friday, so I'll replace that when those get here.

 

[ttocs]

Do you have a ignition box/msd?